We have another great slate tonight with eight games to break down. The Pistons are going to be resting some of their veterans again tonight, so we are looking to Detroit for a lot of value. This is shaping up as another classic stars and scrubs slate. We have a lot of high priority targets at the top of slate, and enough value to squeeze in a few of our favorites. We are looking to guys today who we expect to see an increased opportunity, specifically players who should be thrusted into the starting lineup.
Here’s a studs and duds lineup For DFS Basketball 5/3/21 (using DraftKings Values)
| Point Guard | R. Westbrook | $11,000 | |
| Shooting Guard | A. Caruso | $3,000 | |
| Small Forward | S. Bey | $5,900 | |
| Power Forward | |||
| Center | |||
| Guard | |||
| Forward | – | $5,600 | |
| Utility | K. Hayes | $5,200 |
Russell Westbrook is not slowing down as the Wizards fight to make the play-ins. Westbrook is playing at a level that has just been ridiculous lately, as he has been performing at a level that no one else in the league is close to. Westbrook scored 74 FPTS last game and is averaging 62 FPTS per game. We have mentioned that no one in the league is close to Westbrook in either floor or ceiling. Westbrook is scoring 50 FPTS in floor performances, while showing upside near 100 FPTS. Westbrook is a no brainer with the way that he has been playing. If you are getting away from Westbrook, it is just to avoid the ownership in tournaments. Even in that case, this is not where we are looking to get different with our lineup.
Dennis Schroeder remains out for tonight and we expect to see another starting opportunity for Alex Caruso. Caruso is only $3,000 here, which is way too cheap if he is to get the start at point again. Caruso played 26 minutes at point guard last game and scored 19.5 FPTS. Caruso shot three for nine, and we expect him to do a little better if he starts. Caruso should easily hit value in this spot, and he is getting enough minutes for some serious upside. Regardless the price tag here allows us to squeeze a ton of upside into the rest of our lineup.
We mentioned that the Pistons are a priority for us tonight as they are resting a few guys. Jerami Grant, Mason Plumlee, and Cory Joseph are among the Pistons who will be out for tonight’s game. Saddiq Bey is a priority for us with all the injuries. We have been going to Bey consistently when Grant has been out, as he has been performing at a super high level. Bey is a top usage guy when all these guys are out, which we know is the case tonight. In the last two games, Bey has scored 35.5 and 48.75 FPTS. We have seen him take a massive opportunity with all the injuries, shooting the ball over 20 times last game.
Another Piston we really like getting to tonight is Killian Hayes. Hayes has great upside here as he is likely to be the starting point guard without Joseph. Furthermore, the Pistons do not have a lot of shot creation tonight, and we have seen some nice performances from Hayes in this spot before. Hayes is $5,200 here which is too cheap for the role has shown with Joseph off the floor. Hayes scored 31.5 FPTS last game and he has had huge games when he got the spot in the past. Hayes has fantastic upside and would be much more expensive if he was the only point guard on this team more often.
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Moritz Wagner – PF ($4,600 DK) Wagner has gotten the start at the power forward the past two games and we expect that to be the case again as the Magic are still missing a few guys. Wagner has seen massive run in his two starts and is too cheap for the opportunity. Wagner put up 36.25 FPTS last game and he played 34 minutes. The Magic do not have a lot of options tonight and we are confident in another nice opportunity for Wagner. Wagner is not adequately priced for his role as a starter, and he has some nice upside with all the minutes he is getting.
Guillermo Hernangomez – C ($5,200 DK) Steven Adams remains out which means Hernangomez will continue to start at center for the Pelicans. Hernangomez has consistently been scoring in the low 30’s of FPTS consistently, which means he is about $1,000 too cheap here. Hernangomez is the clear center option for New Orleans, we have no reason to think his minutes will be cut down tonight. If Adams remains out, no doubt we will see Hernangomez be priced up significantly.
Damian Lillard – G ($9,200 DK) Lillard has been on fire the past few games but his price remains down. Lillard has scored over 57 FPTS in back-to-back games, and we are getting him at an affordable price. Lillard has great upside and a solid matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. Lillard always some of the best potential on the slate, and his price allows us to play him along with Westbrook and some other high upside guys.
Josh Jackson – F ($5,600 DK) Jackson is a completely different play when Grant is off the floor as he will be tonight. We have seen monstrous games from Jackson this season and he is a top usage guy when Detroit has all the injuries. Last game, Jackson played 35 minutes and shot two for ten from the field. Jackson has huge upside if he is going to see this kind of opportunity and we want exposure to a few Detroit guys in this spot.
Here’s a stars and scrubs lineup For DFS Basketball 5/3/21 (using FanDuel Values)
| Point Guard | R. Westbrook | $11,200 | |
| Point Guard | D. Lillard | $8,900 | |
| Shooting Guard | J. Jackson | $5,200 | |
| Shooting Guard | D. Bacon | $5,100 | |
| Small Forward | S. Bey | $5,600 | |
| Small Forward | R. Barrett | $6,700 | |
| Power Forward | M. Wagner | $4,900 | |
| Power Forward | D. Green | $7,400 | |
| Center | W. Hernangomez | $5,000 |
Dwayne Bacon – SG (5,100 FD) The Orlando Magic has a ton of injuries tonight and we expect him to see another big opportunity. The Magic had the same injuries last game and we saw Bacon play 35 minutes and score 37.4 FPTS. Bacon should be in for another huge role and he a bit cheap for all the injuries on Orlando.
RJ Barrett – SF (6,700 FD) Barrett has been playing massive minutes lately and it has led to some dominant performances. Barrett has scored north of 40 FPTS in three of his last four games, and he has scored over 40 in each of his last two. Barrett has played over 40 minutes three games in a row. He has not been priced up enough over the past few games and should be a great play again if he is to see 40 minutes.
Draymond Green – PF (7,400 FD) Green was the last guy in for us and he can be replaced if more value opens. However, he is a fair price here and he always has some nice upside. Green always has triple double upside and he has a good matchup today against the Pelicans. Green scored over 40 FPTS in two of his last four, which is what were hoping to see tonight.
Good luck tonight, we still have some injuries up in the air so make sure to keep an eye on things.
Go win your lineup and tell us how you did. Twitter (@FantasyDFSX) is a good place for that.
